Cheshire Observer

THE LATE MR. W. LAIRD. I On Sunday morning the Bishop of Chester (Dr. Jayne) unveiled a memorial tablet in St. Luke's Church. Lower Tranmere, in memory of the late Mr. William Laird. The tablet, which is of white marble in an alabaster frame, is placed on the wall immediately over the pulpit, and bears the follow- ing ir-,icrlption In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, erected to the memory of Wm. Laird, Esq., J. P., who was chief benefactor of this church and schools, born April 11th, 1831; died February 7th, The service was conducted by the Rev. G. D. White (vicar), assisted by the Rev. Canon A. Knox: (vicar of St. Anne's, Birkenhead). The Bishop, in the course of his sermon, alluded to the Christian work in which Mr. Laird had taken part in Birkenhead, and especially with reward to the parish of St. Lukes. In con- nection with that church Mr. Laird built the chancel himself, and very largely contributed towards the erection of the other part of the church, while he had also taken great interest in the schools, and had liberally contributed towards their con- struction. Of the 21 years of the existence of that church Mr. Laird had for five years been one of the churchwardens. It was part of their Christian and civic duty that those who had rendered such good services to the town should not be forgotten, and he rejoiced to think that the friends, neighbours, and fellow parishioners, and those who knew what Mr. Wm. Laird did for the church, schools, and parish, betaken steps to place that memorial tablet, so that those who came after would be stimulated to do likewise.

ALLEGED KAIL WAY ROBBERIES. A MOLD JUNCTION CASE. At Mold Police Court on Monday, two Mold Junction shunters, Arthur Cargill and Robert Williams, were charged in custody on remand with stealing 12 bottles of whisky, vtlued atk2 2s., the property of the London and North-Western Railway Company. Mr. John Fenna appeared for the railway company and the prisoner Williams was represented* by Mr. J. B. Marston (Mold).— Evidence was called to shew that on Friday, April 11th, Messrs. Wright and Grieg, spirit merchants of Glasgow, despatched 12 cases of whisky by rail to Mrs. Owen, of the White Horse Hotel, Llanfair, near Ruthin and consigned to Eyarth Station. These were received by the Caledonian Railway Company and forwarded on, arriving safely at Crewe at 4 p.m. on Saturday April 12th. On Monday, the 14th, upon their arrival at Ruthin it wad found that one case had been emptied and the railway detectives were communicated with. The nrst clue to the perpetrators was that on Monday morning District Traffic Inspector Carline was at Mold Junction when his attention was attracted by the conduct of the prisoner Cargill, who, in attempting to board a light engine, fell and was found to be intoxicated. Prisoner was suspended from duty, and and one of the missing bottles was found protruding from his overcoat pocket, while two more were found con- cealed at his house. After the arrest of Cargill certain information led to the apprehension of Williams, who, while in custody, admitted to Detective-Inspector Sharpe that at Cargill's request he kept watch while Cargill entered a van at Mold Junction and brought out some bottles of whisky of which he gave him (Williams) two. He (Williams) gave one bottle away. Out of the other bottle he gave two platelayers a drink, but hearing of the arrest of Cargill he threw the bottle into the river Dee.—Mr. Fenna characterised the case as one of a serious nature, and as certain developments were anticipated he asked that the prisoners be committed for trial at the qnsuing Flintshire Quarter Sessions —The accused were accordingly committed for trial, the Chairman intimating that bail would be accepted, the prisoners in 220 and two sureties in S10 each.

FISHIXCf IN THE ALYN. CHESTER ANGLER PROSECUTED. On Monday, at the County Police Court, Wrex- ham, a man named William Brown, of Chester, was charged with unlawfully fishing in the river A!yn, adjoining the Trevelyan estate, belonging to Mr. C. W. Townsend, and leased to Mr. A. L. Duncan, of Liverpool. Mr. L. E. Duncan prose- cuted. Mr. ynn Evans, of Wrexham, said he had been instructed by the Liverpool and Cheshire Angling Association to appear on behalf of the defendant. The case was a very important one, involving the right of free fishing in the river Alyn. Meetings had already been held at Gres- ford and Rossett to discuss the matter, and resolu- tions had been passed to defend the right of fish- ing hitherto enjoyed. The Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. Hugh Jones): You cannot be instructed by an Angiing Association. Air. Evans said he quite saw that, and he would ask tho Court to adjourn the case for a few min- utes to enable him to consult with the defendant.. This was agreed to. Mr. L. E. Duncan subsequently addressed the Bench, stating that this was a test case brought by Mr. A. L. Duncan to establish his right to pre- vent free fishing in the river Alyn where it ran through the Trevelyan estate. Mr. Duncan had leased the estat., from Mr. C. W. Townsend, and had also obtained special leases in reference to the fishery rights. It was his desire to improve the fishing in the river by means of preserving the waters, etc., and he issued tickets to persons who he thought should have the privilege of fishing there. Mr. Evans again drew attention to the impor- tance of this case, and applied that it should be adjourned for a fortnight. He had only been in- structed twenty minutes ago, and was very much in tho dark as to the facts and circumstances of the case, and he should like to have time to look up the law and the facts. Of course the defence must pay the costs of the day, and that they were willing to do. Mr. Duncan submitted that the public could not possibly have any right to fish in the river, how- ever long they might have already fished there. Mr. Evans said that might or might not be so; but the question was, ought an adjournment to be granted or not ? Mr. Duncan said if the defence were prepared to deposit L5 in court he should not object to an adjournment. After some further discussion the money was de- posited, and the case adjourned for a fortnight.

STOOPING MEANT GREAT AGONY. -+- Stooping meant great agony to Mr. Thomas Gerry, of 39, East Pontop Colliery, Aunfield Plain, Durham. Writing on April 3rd, 1901, he says:- In June, last year, while working in the pit, I was unfortunate enough to meet with a serious accident, my body being crushed very badly. I was laid up three weeks with this, but found that my kidneys had been affected by the accident. I had some pains in the lower part of the back and could only do my work with gTeat difficulty so much so that when I hrd to reach to the ground I had to go on my hands to do so, as I could not stoop without great agony. Mr. Gerry fortunately found a remedy a remedy that thousands of people have found, Dodd's Kidney Pills. "After taking two or three doses," he writes, "I found a great difference in the water, also in myself." After taking three boxes he says, "I feel as well as ever the pain has quite left nie, and there is no sign of the trouble in any way." The pain in the back, however, was not due to the accident, but to the kidneys. Thousands have backache and are tortured with it daily; thousands suffer great agony when they attempt to stoop, and the cause is the same—the kidneys. The cure is a kidney cure. The best of kidney cures is Dodd's Kidney Pills. They cure the kidneys, and when the kidneys are well the waste refuse of the body is taken away naturally, not left to till the blood with decaying matter ready to make aching backs, aching limbs and aching heads. Because Dodd's Kidney Pills cure the kidneys; they cure Backache, Rheumatism, Lumbago, Neuralgia, Sciatica and Gout. Thousands use them and thousands sing their praises. See to your kidneys your comfort and your life depend on them. Dodd's Kidney Pills are sold by Chemists, 2s. 9d. per box, six boxes for 13s. 9d or sent post free on receipt of price by the Dodd's Medicine Co., 23, Farringdon Avenue, London, E.C. Remember the name, D-o-d-d-s.

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CITY POLICE COURT. 1 MONDAY.—Before the Mayor (Mr. James G. Frost), Mr. R. L. Barkec and Mr. Roger Jackson. A SATURDAY NIGHT INCIDENT.—Robert James, Seaville-street, Wm. Beales, Spital-walk, and Alfred Willcocks, Brickfields, Handbridge, were charged with assaulting Alfred Davies, plasterer, Bunce-street, Chester, on Saturday, 12th April. Mr. W. H. Churton appeared for Beales. The case was adjourned a week ago, when James was charged, for the attendance of the other defendants.—Complainant said he was going home on Saturday night, the 12th inst., and was proceeding along Pepper-street, when he was struck in the back of the neck, and on turn- ing round was again struck in the face. He fell in the street, and was kicked while on the floor. He had to go to the Infirmary and have his head stitched. The defendants were perfect strangers, and the assault was without any provo- cation.-Cross-examined by Mr. Churton: He was not quite sober himself. He did not re- member Beales's coming up to him and picking him up, saying "Give him fair play."—A con- stable stated that he was on duty in Bridge- street, when he heard some shouting in the direction of Pepper-street and saw the three defendants and complainant standing together. They were apparently having words. Com- plainant fell down on the ground. Witness pro- ceeded to the spot and the three defendants ran away. Complainant was bleeding from the head. He arrested James, whom he afterwards saw going along Pepper-street without a hat. The others made good their escape.—James stated that Davies struck him first and he struck at Davies. Davies again struck at him and fell.- Willcocks stated that he did not strike Davies at all.—Mr. Churton said Beales was a respectable young man to whom Davies was a perfect stranger. Beales and Willcocks had been in a public-house together for a short time. After- wards they met James. They proceeded down Newgate-street, and at the bottom saw two women and the complainant. One of the women was shouting "Get away or I'll send for a police- man." The woman complained that something of an insulting nature had taken place, and Beales said to his companions "We had better go and see.Willeocki and Beales went along an entry. When they returned complainant was on the ground, and they thought a fight had taken place between James and the complainant. Beales picked Davies up and said "Give the man fair play." That was all Beales did.—The Bench dismissed the case, and said there was no evidence at all against Beales or Willcocks. A CRIPPLED HORSE.—Aaron Bailey, fruiterer, Victoria-place, Queen-street, Chester, was charged with working a horse in an unfit state on the 15th April.—Inspector Blake Jones, R.S.P.C.A., said he found defendant's wife driving from Boug-hton to Foregate-street in a huckster's cart. The horse was painfully lame in the off fore limb, was in poor condition, and was practically on three legs. It was suffering from an inflamed fetlock joint. Defendant after wards told him that he had "swopped" the horse to a man who could afford to turn it out to grass.—Defendant stated that the horse had corns in its feet.—The Magistrates' Clerk: You should have got some indiarubber pads for him. -Inspector Blake Jones said the horse was not suffering from its feet at all.-The fine imposed was 10s. and costs. TUESDA Y.-Before Dr. Roberts. EXPENSIVE MAINTENANCE. Joseph Byrne, formerly of Hawarden Castle-entry, Chester, was charged at the instance of the Chester Union authorities with allowing his wife and three children to become chargeable to the union in August. 1900.-Mr. Harrop, relieving officer, stated that the prisoner's wife and three children entered the workhouse in November, 1900. His wife first had a little outdoor relief, and, in con- sequence of illness, entered the workhouse, where she remained four months. When she went out of the workhouse she left three children there. As the children were Roman Catholics, the guardians were obliged to send two of them to St. Vincent's School, near Preston, where they still remained. The other child was taken out of the workhouse by the mother. The two children at St. Vincent's School cost the guardians 5s. 6d. each per week. It was a very expensive case. Already JB50 had been spent, and that amount was likely to be increased to C150 unless the prisoner did something.—The Chief Constable said the war- rant was taken out for the prisoner in December, 1900. He was under the impression that Byrne left the city in consequence of another warrant which he held against him for being drunk and disorderly. The prisoner was remanded till Wednesday.

TEMPERANCE MISSION AT SALTNEY Underthe auspices of the Chester Christian Temper- ance Society, a successful united gospel temperance mission, conducted by Mr. Charles Bailey, agent of the Society, was held in Saltney during last week. The opening meeting on Sunday evening took place in the Lecture Hall. There was a large gathering. The chairman was Mr. Carter, of Mold Junction, and the speakers were Mr. Beresford Adams and Mr. Bailey. Mr. Adams gave a brief earnest Mr. Bailey's stirring appeal to Christians to come over to the side of total abstinence was n'ost convincing. The soloist for the evening was Madame Agnes Croxton, whose rendering of Ora Pro Nobis" was greatly appreciated. The remaining meetings were held in the various Non- conformist places of worship, and were very well attended. Monday's meeting was held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel. The chairman was Pastor R. Dobson. and the speakers, Mr, John Mason, hon. sec. C.C.T.S., and Mr. Bailey. The subject of the latter's lecture was "Facts and Fallacies." The soloist was Miss Hawkins, and the reciter Mr. J. Kendall. The meeting on Tuesday was held in the same chapel. Mr. T. C. DaN-ie-i took the chair, and Mr. E. Pitch ford was the first speaker The title of the lecture by Mr. Bailey was Save the Sisters. Miss Bower was the soloist, and Miss Pritchard recited. On Wednesday evening the meeting took place in the Weslevan Chapel. The Rev. J. S Hackett presided. Mrs. Cheeseman gave an interesting address. Mr. Bailey dealt with the subject of Sunday Closing, and at the close of his remarks, the chairman moved the adoption of a petition to Parliament in support of Sunday Closing. The resolution was carried unanimously. A special attraction of this meeting was the presence of the Unique Handbell Ringers" whose efforts were warmly commended. Miss Abley was the reciter, and Miss Lizzie Roberts the soloist. The meeting on Thursday was held in the Church of Christ, Curzon-street. Mrs. Pierce took the chair. The Rev. Ivor Jones who spoke first, wondered how it was there was such urgent need for speakers on this temperance question when all around we could see so much misery and crime resulting from this dreadful evil. The sight of this evil ought to be a lesson in itself. Mr. Bailey's subject was, "Commonsense Views of Teetotalism." The soloist was Miss Jenkins, and the reciter Mr. J. H. Cousins. Friday's meeting was held in the same chapel. The chairman was the Rev. John Benson. The title of Mr. Bailey's lecture was r' The Patriots Call." The last of the series of meetings was held on Saturday evening in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Mrs. Pierce pre- siding. The speakers were the Revs. T. Hollis and J. A. Cheeseman. The Rev. W. Mottram, secretary of the Congregational Total Abstinence Association, gave an instructive address. Mr. Theo. Williams recited in his usual able style. Praise is due to Mr Bailey for the enthusiastic way with which he con- ducted the mission, and t. several members of the .?pec i tllv to M. s Pierce, local mission committee. especially to Mrs. Pierce, who acted as president of the committee.

CONWAY MUSSEL FISHERY. —.—^ STATEMENT BY PROFESSOR WHITE. At Conway on Friday night Professor P. J. White, Professor of Zoology at the University College of North Wales, Bangor, delivered his second lecture to fishermen on fish culture. Alder- man Hugh Hughes (ex-Mayor) presided. Professor White, who is the representative of the Conway Corporation on the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Board, gave some valuable information upon the recent order of the Fisheries Board in adding a month to the close season for the mussel fishery, and restricting the size of the mesh in the sparling nets. He stated that from experiments which he had made with the lin. mesh net, which was the ordinary size of the herring net, he was quite convinced that if the net with that sized mesh were enforced the fishing would be practically not worth while for there t would be practically no fish caught. The net that was now in use had a mesh of three-quarters of an inch. In order that the bye-law might not take effect this year he made strenuous efforts to have it held in abeyance, with the result that there was now a full year during whichproceeclingsmight be takentohave the bye-law repealed. The same applied to the mussel fishery. If the new mussel regulations with regard to the closing of the month of April as an extra closed month had been enforced there would have been a great hardship on the fishermen owing to the very short notice which had been gi ven, so he was glad that the bye-law would not take effect this year. He was of opinion that the additional close month was a gooa tning. As he had told them before, in April the mussel was as full of spawn as at any time, and all that remained to be done was the ripening, and he thought it would be a great pity to continue to make heavy drains upon the beds when the mussels were practically ready to begin spawning. With regard to the mussel farming as practised at Montrose, which he had advocated for Conway, Professor White now said that after careful consideration he did not see how there could be any combination on the lines of the Mont- rose Mussel Society at Conway. At present the Conway fishermen worked on their own account, complied with the bye-laws, and replaced the mussels of an unsaleable size. If an arrangement could be made to have the small mussels trans- planted it would be all right; but the only practical suggestion he could now offer was to pass stringent bye-laws and see that they were enforced. Turning to the practical suggestion of the development of the fishery, Professor White described the history of the mussel fishery carried on on the west coast of France, and recommended the establishment of a series of posts and wattlings, arranged in a V shape, as invented by the shipwrecked Irishman Walton, '? Wa l ton' system as carf ied on and the farming on Walton's system as carried on in France on the Conway ri ver.

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CORONATION FESTIVITIES. ———— THE PROPOSED BONFIRES. The Central Committee of the Coronation Bon- fires' Movement, of which the chairman is Vis- count Cranborne, M.P., and the hon. secretaries are Mr. A. Griffith-Boseawen, M.P., Mr. G. H. Millward, and Canon Rawnsley, have issued a circular recommending that bonfires should be arranged for, to be lighted simultaneously on Coronation night, in England and Wales at ten o'clock, Greenwich time, and in Scotland (owing to the long light in the North) at half-past ten. At 9.55 a detonating rocket should be sent from any principal height to call attention, and at ten o'clock a magnesium star rocket should be fired, to be followed by other rockets, the lighting of the bonfires, and the singing of the National Anthem. Where possible, the hills should be specially illuminated at the same time with red, white and blue coloured fires, in tins of 51b ea.ch, for all the more important heights. The public are cautioned against standing too near to the leeward of the bonfire mass at the time of light- ing, if it has been saturated with paraffin, the flame having been known to fly out as much as 150 feet, and it is very desirable that no accident should mar the Coronation night. The circular contains useful hints for the building of the bon- fires, and some diagrams accompany it. Experi- ence, says the writer, has shewn that the taking of railway sleepers, tar, wood, and other materials to the top of the greater heights for fuel is very costly, and that furze, whin bushes, thorns and faggots make a bright blaze, but burn out too quickly, and are disappointing. Therefore, it is suggested that wherever possible by leave of the owner, peats should be dug at the nearest point to the summit. These, if cut thin and set up to dry without loss of time in ordinary weather, should be ready for fuel by Juno 26. They can be sledged up by a horse and gear a day or two before the building of the bonfire without much cost, and if built with good air passages at the base, com- municating with a central chimney, and saturated with paraffin or creasote by means of a water-can sprinkler or long-handled ladle, will burn with a steady fire for three or four hours. The diameter of the base must, of course, be determined by the amount of peat ready to hand. It has been found that with a diameter of 12 feet and a height of 10 feet a very considerable body of fire is obtain- able. The only caution needed is that the peats should not be built solid, but like open brickwork, with interstices to allow of the passage of air. If occasional layers of dried larch cuttings or faggots can be interposed to give lightness to the mass so much the better. The central chimney should bo formed by means of a perpendicular bundle of larch poles, fastened with strong wire at the top, and the bottom flues should be constructed of stone slabs, in plan like the spokes of a wheel. The bonfire should be lit from the top, and the, bottom Hues should from time to time be raked out to keep the air ways clear. The cost of the two bonfires thus constructed on Skiddaw for the Dia- mond Jubilee was JB20. To ensure the success of ordinary bonfires, all that is necessary is to keep a good air draught through the centre of the pile, and to ensure this let short vertical posts be placed in the ground in a circle round a central pole, which may be 10 to 20 feet high, and with which tre posts must be connected with horizontal bars like the spokes of a wheel. The bonfire materials may be piled on to and around this staging. On the most inaccessible heights it has been suggested that, instead of a bonfire, what is known as a "flare" could be arranged for. The flare light, or Lucigen," on Coniston O.d Man at the Diamond Jubilee, was a great success. It shone out like a star. It is hoped that in many cases two bonfires will be erected, as will be done on the Cotswolds and Skiddaw, in honour of both the King and Queen. HEL&BY. A meeting of the Helsby Coronation Festivities Committee was held in the National Sohoolroom on Monday evening, Mr. J. T. Collier presiding over a good attendance. It was resolved to hold the local celebration on Thursday, June 26th, and that it should consist of a free tea to all children over three years of age who are resident in Helsby and attending the day schools, and that each should be presented with a commemora- tion medal; a. free tea to all old people of 60 years of age and upwards; a procession of the children, friendly societies, etc., through the village, headed by the local band; old English sports in the afternoon and a bonfire on the hill in the evening. The following committees were then appointed:—Finance Committee: Messrs. T. TudQf, G. Brandreth, 0. H. White, C. Wright, S. Ball, W. B. Barlow and W. Roscoe. Procession Committee: Messrs. R. W. Hill, J. Fedden, B. Parker, J. Edmondson, T. Guest, W. Musgrove. J. Noden, and Captain Gunning. Sports Committee: Messrs. W. B. Barlow, J. Fedden, L. Brandreth, 0. H. White and J. Edmondson. Bonfire Committee: Messrs. D. Savage, W. E. Davies, F. Wright, A. Savage, W. Hunt and J. Blythe. It was resolved that the parish councillors' wives should be asked to look after the old people's tea. A vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman. FRODSHAM. A public meeting of ratepayers was held cn Monday night in the Town Hall to make arrange- ments for the proposed Coronation festivities, Mr. Charles E. Linaker, F.S.I., presiding over a representative attendance. The Chairman pointed out what the joint Parish Councils had proposed to do pending the approval of the meeting.—Mr. Tiley proposed that the Coronation festival be arranged for Juno 26th, and Mr. Youd seconded.—Mr. Dixon proposed as an amendment that the Coronation festivities extend over the two days, June 26th and 27th.—Mr. Rodgers seconded.—Mr. Kydd suggested that they extend over two weeks.—On the amendment being put to the meeting 24 voted in favour and 18 against.—Mr. J. H. Davies moved that a committee be formed of the two Parish Councils, with power to add to their number, and that the meeting make the addition. —Mr. T. Evans seconded.—Mr. J. Corker sug- gested that they had been "parish councilled" quite enough lately, and he would like to see the committee formed independent of them, as there were better men off than on the committee.— The following names were added to the list of parish councillors:—The Rev. H. B. Blogg, M.A., the various Nonconformist ministers of the town, and Messrs. G. Ashton, G. Jones, F. Boston, E.' G. Steward, Downes Massie, E. Col- linson, R. Rogers, F. W. Spencer, J. Gorst, C. H. Hibbertt, R. Milner, J. Binns, T. Riley, J. Garner, F. Wright and R. Cooper. The follow- ing propositions were then agreed upon for the Coronation festivities: -That a treat be given to all the old people of 60 years and upwards; that a treat be given to all the day school scholars in the town, in addition to a Coronation medal; beacon fire on Overton Hill, and old English sports on the athletic ground. A considerable discussion took place regarding the feasibility or otherwise, of erecting some permanent memorial in the shape of a clock and drinking fountain, and seats on Overton Hills. It was, however, deemed unwise to go into that matter at the present, as funds perhaps would not allow of carrying out more than the arranged programme. Mr. Dixon proposed that if any funds remained after defraying the Coronation expenses it should form a nucleus towards a fund for pro- viding a permanent memorial. Mr. Youd seconded and it was carried. Mr. Youd re- pudiated the report which had been sent to the Press in which he was stated to have been in favour of a rate to meet the expenditure, as he had always been adverse to such- a method. FLINT. I The Flint Town Council having unanimously voted the Mayor a sum of £100 towards celebrating the Coronation, the Mayor (Alderman T. W. Hughes) summoned a public meeting in the Town Hall on Friday night for the purpose of electing an executive committee to carry out the work and to receive suggestions as to the best mode of celebrating the event. Much interest was taken in the meeting, particularly as the rector of the parish (the Rev. W. Ll. Nicholas) had on the previous Sunday in the Parish Church entered a protest against any charge being put upon the rates. The Town Hall was rowded by representatives of every class. The Mayor said he placed the £ 100 entirely at the dis- posal of the committee, and suggested that thev should give a treat to all the children of the borough and also to the aged poor, and to wind up with sports and ifreworks. A committee was appointed, consisting of all the members of the Council, with 16 additional names from outside, and also a repre- sentative ladies' committee. The meeting heartilv endorsed the suggestions of the Mayor, and a hope was expressed that .some of the wealthy people in the neighbourhood would seize the opportunity of devising some means of erecting a public building in the town, such as a free library or mechanics' insti- tute, so as to provide a permanent commemoration of the event. Mr. Henry Taylor (Town Clerk) was unanimously elected hon. secretary, and Mr. Evalt Thomas hon. treasurer. PLANTING OAK TREES. As an item in the Coronation festivities at Aberystwyth it is recommended by the committee that oak trees be planted in suitable places in the to;vn. It was proposed to grant the Mayor (COLITIC Ilor R. J. Jones) £ 300, but his worship said L200 would be sufficient, as of course he would bear some of the expenses himself. He thought they ought to have some permanent memorial of the event, such as a statue of the I<ing on the spot where he was installed as first Chancellor of the University OL VN-ales. This W.as referred to committee. LLANDUDNO'S DECISION. Llandudno townspeople hr/ve decided to cele- brate the Coronation by the conversion of the Public Subscription News .oom and Library into a free town institution, against an alternative sug- gestion to establish a scholarship from the county school to the University. Lord Mostyn was elected, amid acclamation, to the chairmanship of the Llandudno District Council. His father was chairman of the old Board of Commissioners for six years, and his lordship, in accepting his position with pleasure, admitted that as an out- sider he had taken great interest in the public affairs of the place for twenty years. He had very great confidence in the future of Llandudno, although, frc,m the tone of the recent meeting of ratepayers, tIlO judged there would be no prospect of a peer 0 t' the realm occupying the Mayoralty at an early oate.

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FUMES AT ELLESMERE PORT. — .0 — REFEREE'S COURT AT CHESTER. FARMERS' LOSSES. £4,599 CLAIMED. On Saturday, the Hon. Cecil Parker, special referee, sat in the Grand Jury Room at Chester, Castle to hear evidence for the purpose of assess- ing damages found to have been sustained by the Dean and Chapter of Chester Cathedral as owners, and Messrs. William Parker and Charles Bate as tenants of the Great Stanney Hall Farm and Grange Farm, through the injurious effects of fumes emitted from the Smelting Corporation Works, Ellesmere Port. The proceedings arose out of the case of the Dean and Chapter and others v. the Smelting Corporation, Limited, which was heard in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice The Dean and Chapter and the tenants obtained an injunction restraining the Smelting Corporation from continuing to allow smoke and deleterious fumes to be discharged from their works. In January last there was a motion to commit Mr. Peters, the liquidator of the de- fendant company, for contempt of court for nou- oompliance with the terms of the injunction by re-starting the works. Mr. Justice Farwell granted an order for attachment against Mr. Peters, but directed that the order should lie in the office for a time, and that it should not be enforced if the works were stopped and some proper compensation, to be assessed by a special referee, was made to the plaintiffs. The Hon. Cecil Parker was the special referee agreed upon between the parties, hence the proceedings on Saturday. Mr. Leigh Clare, barrister, instructed by Messrs. Barker and Rogerson, appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Lawrence, barrister, instructed by Messrs. Druce and Atlee, of London, was for the defendant, Mr. Peters, the voluntary liquidator of the company. The claims were for damages and loss in consequence of the re-starting of the company's works in September, 1901. THE CLAIMS. The Dean and Chapter claimed for (1) loss sus- tained in consequence of Mr. Parker's being oompelled to leave his farm and the plaintiffs' having to re-let the same at a reduced rent of £ 30 a year, which represented at seven years' purchase 2210; (2) a loss of L57 per annum at seven years' purchase, representing the difference between the depreciated letting value and 35s. per acre, at which the farm would on a vacancy in the ordinary course of events have been let, £ 399; (3) cost of decoration of thA, house prematurely forced upon the landlords by the plaintiff's (Mr. Parker's) being driven from his farm, £ 75; total, £684. Mr. Parker's claim was made up as follows:- (1) To loss of grazing on 110 acres for four months, E250 (2) to injury to and loss on the realisation of and extra keep on stock com- prising 83 fat sheep, 30 cross-bred hogs, 35 Leicester ewes and gimmers, 13 pedigree short- horn cows and heifers, 3 shorthorn bulls, 31 dairy cows, 2 fat beasts, 14 shorthorn two-year- old heifers, 10 West Highland heifers, 9 blue- grey heifers, 25 West Highland bulls, 22 short- horn heifers and bullocks, and 14 horses, £1,494 Os. 6d; (3) to expenses of sale by auction of above. JE76 17s. 4d.; (4) to I estimated cost of removal and re-erection of engine, machinery, shafting and fittings, and loss of use and enjoy- ment of same, 2100; (5) to loss of loose-boxes and sheds and of improvements to buildings, garden and house, fruit trees, etc., all of which the tenant had reasonable expectation of con- tinual enjoyment, £ 200; (6) veterinary surgeon's aocounts, £11 Os. 6d.; (7) Messrs. Cunnah and Roberts's account for making valuation on January 25th, £33198. 6d.; (8) valuation charges, E31; total, £2,186 17a. lOd. Mr. Bate's claim comprised the following items:—(1) Injury to five colts, extra keep of same through their having to be kept in loose- boxes, consequent high feeding, wages and loss of time in extra constant attention, and loss of use of five loose-boxes, £ 179; (2) to injury and loss occasioned by 40 cows aborting at £10 each, £ 400; (3) extra keep of 110 cows during Decem- ber, January, February, March and April-23 weeks at 2s. 6d. per week, and 10 days of November, j3516 5s.; (4) to loss of milk on 60 cows for three months; £ 150; (5) to loss of grazing for seven months on 243 acres which were rendered absolutely unfit for stock through the poisoned herbage, and the cost of mowing and burning the old feg on 220 acres, which was absolutely necessary to make it fit and reason- ably safe for stock to graze or to be mown next summer, £ 540; (6) to loss of trade in the retail sale of milk at Ellesmere Port and having to otherwise dispose of the milk at less remunerative prices, £ 60 13s. 4d. (7) to loss on the forced sale of 76 sheep during November, December and January, and extra corn and keep of same until sold, JB27 4s.; (8) veterinary surgeons' accounts, JJ11 OS. 6d. .(9) Messrs. Cunnah and Roberts's account for making valuation, JE25 8.s.; (10) valuation charges, L21; total, £ 1,728 10s. 10d. HISTORY OF THE CASE. Mr. Clare said that to the north of the bulk of the land and to the north-west of the land in question were situated the works of the company, and those works were started about 1900 and carried on until March last year. In the process of smelting there was emitted from the works a quantity ot oxide of lead, oxide of zinc, and sulphuric acid, the result of which was that in the early part of last year Mr. Parker, who was occupier of the nearest farm, and also Mr. Bate, of the further farm, discovered that not only was physical damage being done to the hedges and the grass, but hiso that the two farms were being seriously pre- judiced. In consequence an action commenced at the beginning at last year; the trial came on in July or August, and after the plaintiff's case had been closed the defendants raised the defence that was usual in these cases, that it was not the Smelting Corporation, but somebody else, who did the damage. After that had been repudiated by the plaintiffs, however, the de- fendants came to the conclusion that they could not resist the case any further, and an injunction was granted. The company was in liquidation, and a receiver was in possession on behalf of the debenture holders. Mr. Peters, who was ap- pointed liquidator to the company, thought fit in September, notwithstanding the trial, to open the works again. He (Mr. Glare) did not assert that in doing so Mr. Peters was guilty of dis- honesty. Mr. Parker and Mr. Bate had had to take their stock off the portion of the farms which was more seriously affected by the first carrying on of the works, but when the company stopped in Maroh, 1901, they thought the nuisance was Somg to cease. They put their stock back on .'S land and new ?"? was bought. On the 10ft, h of September Mr. Peters, anxious no doubt to do the best he could for the debenture holders, and with a view to the reconstruction of the company for the benefit of the shareholders, started again. After the works had been re- opened a short time Mr. Parker and Mr. Bate lound they were suffering in exactly the same way in which they had been suffering before. Complaints were made, and ultimately an appli- cation was made to commit Mr. Peters for con- tempt of court in making a breach of the in- junction. The result- of these proceedings, which lasted two or three days, was that the judge came to tho conclusion that there had been a deliberate breach of the injunction, and made an order to commit Mr. Peters. But aa Mr. J. eters was prepared to do what was right, the judge said the committal would not be en- forced if Mr. Peters paid full compensation to the peztsons whom he injured. At the first trial it was considered that, although there had been physical injury to the property of the Dean and Chapter, the injury was only temporary and would not result in any permanent loss. There- fore no claim was made by the Dean and Chapter for compensation at the trial. But in conse- quence of Mr. Peters's proceedings, Mr. Parker, who had struggled to carry on his business, at last tound his patience worn out, and determined to leave the iart-1, and, although he had not yet left, he was going to leave in the course ot a month or two. The Dean and Chapter had had to find a fresh tenant for the land, and they had let only a. portion of the land to a new tenant, from whom they received 5s. per acre less than they otherwise would have got, because nobody would take a farm which was under suspicion at the same rent the previous tenant paid. A tenant who took a farm under such circumstances Was entitled to some fixity of tenure. and it was a reasonable arrangement tnat the Dean and Chapter should le?-c the tenant in occupation of the land for seven ye?wSS raising his rent or otherwise dist J^SS^Tm He of refree to asume that the Dean and Chapte" were losing 5s. per acre for a period ?,,? ?rg as the result of the operations. The Dean and Chapter had claim iii r.g?d to Mr. Bate's farm, as he wa? remairut.g in possession, and if he remained until the prejudice against the farm had worked away the plaintiffs would not suffer. The damages sustained by Mr. Parker consisted of loss of stock. Mr. Parker was a breeder of very valuable horses, and he had actually lost horses, while mares had deteriorated in value though they-had not died. It was proved up to the hilt at both trials that the effect of the poison which was emitted from the works was to produce in some citses barrenness and in some cases abor- tion, Mr. Parker also sustained losses in respect of oows and sheep. He also made a claim for dis- turbance. He had taken the farm with the object of establishing himself permanently there, and went to the expense of putting down a lot of plant. In leaving he had had to remove this from the farm..4r! Bate had a claim for losses by death of stock, for injury to stock in the sense of their being less marketable, for injury to the reputation of his farm, and for injury to his milk business which he carried on at Ellesmere Port. Some idea of the extent to which his milk trade had suffered was given by the fact that the amount of milk he sold per week had dropped from 210 gallons to 70 gallons. The arbitrator would probably hear a great deal from the other side as to the difficulty of differentiating between the damage caused by the Smelting Corporation and the damage caused by Mr. Peters. The de- fendants ould probably say that Mr. Peters had done little er no damage, and that the whole damage was done prior to the 10th of March, 1901. If any such case should be raised he (Mr. Clare) thought he would be able to shew that the great bulk of the damage, if not all the damage for which they were now claiming, was done by Mr. Peters between the 10th of Septem- ber last yexr and January. THE EVIDENCE. Mr. R. T. Wickham, a member of the firm of Messrs. Barker, Coppaok and Wiekham, agents to the Dean and Chapter, was the first witness. He explained that both farms were largely grass farms, and possessed great advantages of situation. The hedges were first affected by the metallic poisoning from the works, and afterwards the stock became affected. When the works had been stopped after the first trial, the hedges and trees shewed signs of recovery. When Mr. Peters re- started the works, they watched the smoke with great interest. It was not until the end of Septem- ber or the first few days in October that the wind blew from the north and brought the fumes over the farms. Up to that time there had been no further damage, but within the first week of October the hedges began to go black again. Be- fore the first trial Mr. Parker had given notice to leave the farm, but when the injunction was obtained he withdrew his notice. At one time Mr. Parker paid 34s. 2d. per acre for rent, but about 90 acres of his land were sold to the Ship Canal Company, and Mr. Parker's rent was re- duced, and he had since paid about 32s. per acre. They were disposed to be generous to Mr. Parker, who had always been a desirable tenant. In fact, they were rather proud of Mr. Parker as a tenant. Prior to tho Smelting Corporation's ooming to Ellesmere Port, a fair letting of the farm would have been at 35s. per acre. The farm was let with the game, and was tithe free. If he could do away with those chimneys and works he could get 35s. per acre for the farm now. He must first of all clear it of suspicion. He had suc- ceeded in letting tho farm in two lots, one of the new tenants taking 300 acres and the other 47 acres. The rental agreed upon was 30s. per acre, and it was understood between the Dean and Chapter and tho new tenant of the 300 acres that he would not bo disturbed or his rent increased for seven years. They thought that was only a reasonable arrangement. The new tenant of the 47 acres was Mr. W. Parker's son. This part of the farm was so situated as to be the least likely to suffer from the works. They claimed £ 399, representing a loss of JB57 per annum for seven years. They would have to decorate the house for the new tenant, whereas if Mr. Parker had remained tenant, he would have done it himself under his tenancy arrangement. Mr. Lawrence: You have charged E75 for doing up Mr. Parker's farm. You do not suggest that his leaving has done anything more than ac- celerated that? I take it you would have to pay that when any change of tenancy occurred, and, therefore, it is not fair to charge the actual cost against Mr. Peters, when the actual damage is the difference between paying that now and later on?—Mr. Wickham: You may make something of that, but I don't think it is fair that Mr. Peters should turn out our best tenant. Mr. Wickham, in further cross-examination, stated that the new tenant was a Mr. Lee, and there was no legal bargain between him and the Dean and Chapter as to not disturbing him for seven years. The in-coming tenant had, he be- lieved, refused to take the sheds, etc. They would possibly not have received more than 32s. per acre if Mr. Parker had stayed as tenant. Mr. Henry Swetenham, agent to the Hawarden estate, stated that he had visited the Great Stanney Hall Farm, and found it in good heart and in very good condition. The farm had the appearance of having been well kept. It was an exceptional farm; an occupation road went through the centre of the farm. He estimated that if there were no smelting works there, the farm ought to let at iust a trifle over 35s. per acre; that was if the four cottages and the shooting were let with the farm.-Cross-examined: All hough the farm was in good heart, the pasture had been damaged by the works. Mr. William Parker, one of the plaintiffs, spoke of the many years he had occupied the Great Stanney Hall Farm. He found it a good farm, and suitable for his purposes. When he had made up his mind that he was es- tablished there, he put up wooden buildings, etc., for the purpose of his particular business. Questions were about to be put to Mr. Parker, in order to bring out the class of stock he kept, when the Referee, in reply to Mr, Lawrence, stated that he knew Mr. Parker's stock quite well, and it was considered unnecessary to put further questions on that subject. Witness further stated that after the stoppage of tho works he bought fresh stock which, after the works had been restarted, became affected in the same way as his old stock. In consequence of having to take his stock from the affected area, he lost the use of that land during the winter. He had to supply that loss with cake, etc. He had used between 200 and 300 sacks of oats, 45 sacks of wheat, and 12 sacks of bariey in excess of the amount of feeding stuff of that kind he had been in the habit of using in previous winters. He had also used about £ 300 worth of cake, which was double his usual quantity. Since the 10th Septem- ber, the date on which Mr. Peters re-started the works, his stock had done very badly. He had not lost any of them, but their condition had been verv poor, and they were no good for show pur- poses. He had been in the habit of having peri- odical sales at his farm, which had been well- attended, in consequence of the reputa- tion that he had for high-class stock. His sales had usually been held in the autumn, but he was obliged to hold a spring sale this year in consequence of his leaving the farm. At the sale, which was on the 3rd April, there was a falling-off in the attendance of breeders, and the stock, in consequence of their poor condition; made very low prices. He claimed for extra keep of stock, comprising 83 fat sheep, 30 cross-bred hogs. a") Leicester ewes and gimmers, 13 pedigree He claimed for loss of grazing on 110 acres of land for four months. That land had been kept clear of stock during the summer, so that it was very full of grass. When Mr. Peters re-started the works witness took his cattle off that land. Witness then entered into particulars of the loss sustained by the depreciation of the stock as shewn by the result of the sale on the 3d April. In his opinion all the beasts were injured by Mr. Peters's operations. Had he been staying he would not have sold the cattle and sheep in the condition they were. Mr. Lawrence: Do you mean to say you have bsen paying a fair rent?—Witness: I consider it cheap enough. You make a claim for loss of use of loose-boxes, sheds, improvements to buildings and garden, etc. Whenever your tenancy came to an end the same position would have arisen as it has arisen now?—J never expected it would come to an end. My son would have taken the farm. But exactly the same position would have arisen?—I suppose so. The Dean and Chapter might have put an end to it at the end of any year?—I felt quite sure of enjoying a long tenancy under the Dean and Chapter. You had periodical auction sales?— Yes. At what intervals?—Two or three years. If it had not been for these beasts being damaged you would not have had a sale at all this spring?—No, I would not. You bought most of them for the purpose of sale, didn't you?—Yes. You did not mean to keep them for breeding? —Not all; some of them. So that you would have sold them some time? -Yes, but I was leaving the farm. But you bought them for feeding?—Oh, yes. And you intended to sell them some time or other?—Yes, I daresay. Assuming we are responsible for having the sale now. you charge us with the whole of the costs?—Yes, but I was obliged to sell now. Quite; but you would have had' the cost of the sale; it was only a question when it would have been?—They would have gone to the Smithfield. What ought the 35 ewes and gimmers to have fetched at the sale?—I could not have bought them under 28 or £ 10 each. I bought three lambs when I went there, and gave L5 each for them. Do you know what the pedigree shorthorns sold for?-No, I don't; but I know one which I gave JS54 for sold for JB14. You are ascribin- all your losses to the Smelt- ing Corporation?- Yes. Including barrenness and abortion?— Yes. I suggest to you that these shorthorns were not a particularly good lot?-Ob, yes, they were, if they had not been injured. I suggest that they were small in the bone?— Yes, but what is the reason? Do you say they were small in the bone because they were poisoned by these works?- Y es. How long do you suggest this poisoning has been done?—After September. Do you think that would be the cause of a roan cow's (calved in 1892) being small in the bone?—I think that was a very big cow. I think you are actually retiring from farming altogether ?■—Y es. Mr. Richard Parker, son of Mr. W. Parker, was the next witness. He spoke of the north winds carr^jnfr the fumes over his father's farm. The piOce of land which witness had taken was to the extrema south-west. MR. BATE'S MILK TRADE. Mr. Charles Bate, tenant of the Grange Farm, also one of the plaintiffs, was next called as to the extent to which he had suffered through the re-started operations in September. Prior to the Smelting Corporation's starting operations at Ellesmere Port he had suffered, no injury. Since September he had had 47 abortions among his cows; he only claimed for 40, deducting the seven for ordinary abortions. He also claimed for loss of milk on 60 cows for three months. Each cow should have given 3-2L gallons per day, whereas the yield was not quite 2 gallons per day per j gallons per day per cow. He also gave particulars as to the loss of grazing for seven months on- 243 acres, and loss of trade in the retail sale of his milk at Ellesmere Port and his having to otherwise dispose of the milk at less remunerative prices. Regarding the latter, he said people had a prejudice against the lattemr, ilk and cried out that it was poisoned. A policeman told him that one woman left her milk over night and found the lead at the bottom next morning. (Laughter.) Of course she stopped buying his milk. He sold about 10 gallons per day now, whereas he usetl to sell from 25 to 30 gallons per day. He claimed that he had lost 4d. per gallon on 140 gallons each week for 26 weeks, because it was worth Is. per gallon re- tailed and only 8d. at home. He also claimed for extra corn, cake, etc. He could not attribute the losses he had sustained to anything but Mr. Peters's operations. Cross-examined: As soon as the last trial was on he experienced a loss of milk trade. Mr. Lawrence: Was not your loss of miiUc trade due to the closing of the works?—That and prejudice. Mr. George J. Roberts, of the firm of Messrs. Cunnah and Roberts, auctioneers, gave cvi,I,cnce as to a valuation which he had made and upon which the claims of Mr. Parker and Mr. Bate had been based. As to Mr. Parker's claim of JS250 for loss of grazing on 110 acres, the land had been kept clear of stock during the summer, so that there was plenty of grass. The 110 acres looked more as if they were going to be mown than grazed. It was a perfectly reasonable claim. After entering into details as to the other items of Mr. Parker's claim and shewing that they were reasonable, witness spoke of the character of Mr. Parker's stock. His ram lambs were the most sought after in this part of the country, and had fetched as much as five and six guineas. Mr. Parker had been in the habit of keeping the best of his ewes for breeding. He had esti- mated the Leicester ewes at eight guineas each. Describing Mr, Bate's stock, witness said Mr, Bate's waa one of the best dairies in the king- dom. He had a reputation as a dairy farmer. His sheep were also good and had sold well at His sheep 'held by witness' firm. Mr. Leigh Clare: Can you suggest any reason for the losses sustained except the Smelting Corporation ?-Nona whatever. Mr. Lawrence cross-examined witness as to the injury to the five colts, and suggested that they were not all injured by the fumes from the works. -Witness: They were eating in the same field. If you had smelt their gums it would have been enough. (Laughter.) Mr. Lawrence: You estimate the loss occa- sioned by 40 cows aborting at £10 each. Is not that high?—It is not enough. Mr. Lawrence: I never knew such generosity. (Laughter.) Why was it?—I valued them individually. Re-examined: The five colts were certainly suffering from metallic poisoning. Mr. L. Clare: Has Mr. Bate been able to keep the amount of stock on his farm he would have been able to keep if this farm had been left alone?—Certainly not. Mr. Stafford Jackson, veterinary surgeon to the War Office in the Liverpool district and to the port of Liverpool, was then called. Asked to what he attributed the condition of the cows, he stated that from investigations ho had made from December up to the present, and from what had taken place on other farms, in Lancashire as well, he felt certain that it was metallio poison- ing. At any rate, what he saw was consistent with metallic poisoning. Mr. Lawrence: Did you see during your visits to Mr. Parker's and Mr. Bate's sufficient evi- dence of lead poisoning to justify you in saying lead poisoning was possibly and probably the cause?—I think it was undoubtedly. Witness further stated that of tke five horses on Mr. Bate s farm three were obviously suffering from lead poisoning. Mr. Barron, veterinary surgeon, Little Sutton, gave evidence as to the condition of the stock on both farms during the last 18 months. One of Mr- Bate's horses was hopelessly paralysed. He attributed the condition of the cattle to metallic poisoning. Mr. Smetham, analytical chemist, Liverpool, stated that as the result of analyses he had made between the 26th February and the 2nd March he found evidences of metallic poisoning and came to the conclusion that abortion was due to metallic poisoning. ARGUMENTS FOR MR. PETERS. 1\, If T ivir' "wrence now addressed the Referee on behalf of Mr. Peters. There was the policy of the open door and there was the policy of the open mouth. He suggested that the claims had been framed with the mouth very wide open. He asked the Referee to exercise his own know- ledge of values and farming in forming an opinion as to what was reasonable between man and man, not pressing, as he had been invited to, the case against Mr. Peters. Some of the claims were very speculative. They were in fact a sort of speculation on a speculation. For instance, the loss of 243 acres of grass was esti- mated on a basis of a certain number of animals that would have been able to feed off the grass in the time. He asked the Referee to see that Mr. Peters was not made to pay twice for the same thing-to see that he did not have to pay first for the loss of the grass, then for the cost of the cake necessary to feed them, and then for depreciation in the beasts fed, because in many mnaltiesX hVniP°SlJd [k °n out as accumulative ptmalties to be imposed on him. The loss of grass  extra keep were in effect the same thmi an' d J they ought not to charge the loss of ^rass and ? cost of the extra keep. He con- tended that it was unfair for plaintiffs to attempt to make out that the total loss on the re-letting of the farm was 5s. per acre for seven years, and he pointed out that there was no agreement between the Dean and Chapter otherwise than the ordinary yearly tenancy. That charge could not really be supported. It was quite probable that in two yoars' time the damage done to the farms by the works would have disappeared, and there would be no obstacle in the way of the Dean and Chapter getting the rent they could for the farm. As to the charges for expenses of sale by auction, he submitted that it was quite clear that the animals sold were mainly bought for sale, and would have had to be so.d anyhow. Therefore to charge the whole ?mount of the sale simply because it was brought off a little earlier than was intended, was entirely wrong. As to charging the cost of moving machinery, etc., it was not known what Mr. Parker was going to do with them. More- over, he would have been exactly in the same position whenever he came to give up farming. He had put up the loose-boxes, sheds, etc., at his own risk, and Mr. Peters could not reasonably be asked to pay for that. In conclusion, he said that if Mr. Peters had committed a legal offence, he had certainly suffered for it. In reply, Mr. Clare urged that Mr. Peters, after deliberately infringing the injunction, had himself chosen the alternative of making good the damage. He was therefore bound to do so to the fullest extent of what was reasonable and just. Mr. Parker had been driven out of his farm, and the Dean and Chapter deprived of a tenant. The Dean and Chapter were bound to either let the farm at once at a reduced rent or let the farm be idle for a time. Instead of charging Mr. Peters over £ 500 for every year until they got a tenant, they were charging him a sum that. was a. little more than one year's rent. If they had taken the other course, and allowed the farm to stand idle for two years, then there would have been two years' rent, or over £ 1,000, for Mr. Peters to pay instead of the loss they now charged. No evi- dence had been called on behalf of Mr. Peters regarding the letting value of the farm, the physical deterior- ation of the stock, etc., and if the Referee had the slightest doubt as to the way in which his judg- ment should go, the fact that the plaintiffs had given evidence in full corroboration of their case should decide him to lean on their side and against Mr. Peters. It had been said that they ought not to have charged the expenses of the sale. If Mr. Parker had been allowed to stay he would have had a sale of marketable cattle, and not half- starved broken-down beasts, which he had to sell. He would have sold cattle in the prime of con- dition in the ordinary course, and around the sale ring there would have been people ready to buy. Mr. Peters had said he was prepared to make full reparation with an ungrudging hand, and it was not fair of him to now say, "I grudge you tho expenses incurred in getting rid of your stock." This concluded the proceedings. The Referee will make his award in due course. (A portion of the above appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition.)

COUNTY POLICE COURT. SATURDAY.-Before Colonel Evans-Lloyd, Mr. J. Pover and Mr. R. T. Richardson. LICENSING APPLICATIONS.—Mr. Reynolds applied on behalf of William Alexander Simpson for the transfer of the licence of the Red House. He said temporary authority was granted on the 8th March. The application was granted.—Mr. Reynolds also applied on behalf of Horbert Edward James Richards, engineer, Clare-avenue, Hoole, tor temporary authority to sell at the Egerton Arms, Little Saughall.—Granted. A QUESTION OF COSTS.—Mr. C. Wright, police court missionary, applied on behalf of the two lads, Newman and Edge, who had been con- victed of theft at the General Railway Station a short time ago, for an extension of time for the payment of the fines. He offered J64 on account of the fines (about Cl3 each). He had written to the railway company with reference to the case, and had received a reply from Mr. J. Fenna, stating that tho company did not like the tone of the letter, because the letter seemed to blame the company on account of the costs. It was absolutely necessary to have the witnesses to prove the case, and the company had kept down the costs, and he (Mr. Fenna) failed to see any harshness in the action of the railway company. Mr. Wright went on to disclaim any intention of casting any blame on the railway company, and said that in reply to that letter he pointed out that he felt horrified at the amount of the costs because they added to the amount of the fines. Seeing the position the lads were in, he asked Mr. Fenna that he might plead through him with the company, that it might see its way to grant a remission of part of the fines.—In reply to the Chairman, Mr. Wright said he had appealed to the Home Secretary, asking him to review the case with a view to having a remission of part of the fines. One of the lads had joined the Regulars, and if he were imprisoned it would ruin his prospects. He felt sure that there were friends who would come forward and help to pay the fine.—An extension of time of one month was granted. THEFT OF EGGS.—William Hy. Johnson, farmer, Chorlton, summoned three young men, named James Stanton, Frederick Jones and Wm. Oakes, all of Ellesmere Port, for stealing a quan- tity of turkey's eggs, valued at 20a., on the 10th of this month.—Johnson, in giving evidence, said that on the day in question he saw the three men coming along the road, and he watched Stanton and Oakes look along the fences and pick some eggs up. Witness went to tbem, and the de- fendants gave him the eggs when they saw they were found out. Witness sent for the police at Ellesmere Port.—Mrs. Johnson deposed to the three men coming to the farm and wishing to. apologise.—Defendants were fined 10s. and costs each, or 14 days' hard labour. SWINE FEVER REGULATIONS.-John Ash- ton, an elderly farmer, was charged with taking one pig to the Ermine saje, which was in a. swine fever iiifected area, without a declaration order.— P.C. Williams said that on the 8th of the present month defendant took a pig to the sale in question without having a declaration order.—The fin im- posed was 10s. and costs. THEFT OF BOOTS,—Mary Bailey pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a pair of boots on the 17th inst., from the shop of Alfred DoTan, pawnbroker, Ellesmere Port.-G. Bowey, assistant to Alfred Doran, said that Annie Williams, sister of the defendant, brought the boots to the shop with the intention of pawning them on. the 17th April. He recognised them as belonging to his master.— Defendant was ordered to come up for judgment if called upon.

PRIMKOSE DAY. Saturday'?, observance of the memory of Lord Beaconsfield ranked with the mast striking of its predecessors. From an early hour there were throngs of people in the vicinity of the deceased earl's statue at Westminster, all weajping primroses. The, monument itself was richly clothed with the simple bloom, interlaced with violets. A number of floral devices also rested: against the pedestal, tke tributes having been sent by Constitutional And Conservative Associations and Primrose League Habitations. (The above articles appeared in our last Saturday Evening Edition.) Umbrellas Re-covered and Refinished equal to now. Ladies' or Gent's, with the noted B E M Silk, 3/6 to 3/S each, and at all prices from l/ll to 12/6,—Bradley's, Foregatfi'sfcreet, Cheater,

SPORTING. HOOTON RACEK. SECOND DAY. The gloomy expectations caused bv a duff morn- ing were happily not fulfilled on Saturday, for the weather was most delightful, and the charming course never presented a prettier picture. There was a large attendance, among those present in the reserved enclosure being the Duke and Duchess of Westminster, Lord Arthur Grosvenor (who agaifs acted as starter), Lady Arthur Grosvenor, Lady Lettice Grosvenor, Lady Berkeley Paget, Lord and Lady Rossmore, Sir W. B. and Ladv Norwood, Mr. J. Hartley Bibby, Mr. T Bater, Mr. J. Bretherton, Mr. A. D. Chambres, Mr. R C. Drury, Miss G. Edmondson, Miss S. Edmondson, Mr. and Mrs. J. Gordon, Mr. Johnson Houghton, Miss Ismay, Mrs. J. M. Laird, Mr. J. W. Macfie, Mr. C. H. Lockett, Mr. G. B. Lockett, Mr. Gordon Lockett, Mr. G. G. Lockett, Mr. J. Lockett, Mr. R. C Lockett, Mr. R. Kerr Lockett, Mr. R. R. Lockett, Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Pilkington, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Pilkington, Mr. J. W. Macfie, Mr. R Potts, Mr. H. Potts, Mr. E. Powell, Mr. R. T. Wickham, Mr and Mrs. 1. C. Glover, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Glover, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Glover, Mr. and Mrs. G. Garner Smith, Mr. J. B. Topham, Mr. A. Tyrer, Mr. J. Monro Walker, Mr J. Reid Walker, Colonel W. Hall Walker, M.P., Mr. and Mrs H. L. Kellock, Mrs. H. Greenall, Mr. T. P. Cook, Mr. H. Fine- berg, Mr G. R. Grant, Dr. and Mrs. J. M'Murray, Miss Dolly Smith, Mr. Percy Scrivener, Mrs. C. M. Nicholson, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. B. Ainsworth, Mr. and Mrs. E. Storey, Capt. Gordon, Mr. F. E. Cotton, Mr. R. K. Mamwaring, Mr. B. Glegg, Mr. G. H. Rogerson, Mr. R. E. R. Brocklebank, Mr. J. L. Birkett, &c. The chief event on the card, the Hooton Park Hurdle Race of the value of 1,000 sovs., attracted nine of its 21 entrants to the post.. Of these Oban was at once established favourite, and he was sup- ported so strongly that fielders held out for odds of (j to 4. The result fully justified his favouritism as he always lay handy, and, taking up the running half a mile from home, won readily by six lengths from Mr. Southall's Papdale. When put up for auction Oban realised 710 guineas, a matter of over 650 guineas above the entered selling price. The- Thornton Handicap Steeplechase attracted Fairland, the winner of the big steeplechase at the recent Manchester meeting, to the post, but though the victory of Mr. Bater's mare would have been very popular she could get no nearer than third, the- spoils going to Chapeltown. There was not a hitch in the arrangements, and Mr. W. S. Gladstone is to be complimented over a most successful gathering. Details:— SELLING HANDICAP HURDLE RACE. Two miles. 11 12 Mr. T. Green's SIMONSBATH, 6yrs..Goswell 1 11 2 Mr. F. Kitchener's LOVE CHILD II., 5yrs. G. Green 2 12 1 Mr. W. A. Richardson's Chillingworth, a. H Woodman 3 Also ran: Lohengrin, E. Piggott; Tankerness, E. Acres; Jouvence, C. Horan; Still, J. Siswick. (Winner trained by Goswell, Wrexham.) Betting: 5 to 2 agst Love Child II., 3 to 1 Jouvence, 9 to 2 Chillingworth. 6 to 1 Lohengrin, 7 to 1 Simonsbath, and 10 to 1 others. Entering the straight, Love Child II took it up, but was challenged at the last fence by Simonsbath. Won by three parts of a length three lengths between second and third. THORNTON HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE.—Two miles. 11 10 Mr. P. S. Cadman's CHAPELTOWN, a. Owner 1 10 9 Mr. Wm. Edwards's Warlock, a.Costello 2 12 7 Mr. T. Bater's Fairland, aged Phillips 3 11 5 Dukeof Westminster's Sprig of Shillelagh 5yrs.Anthony 0 Also ran: Titus II., Mr. Hastings; Spillane, Goswell; Nell, E Piggott; Plunger, P. Woodland. (Winner trained privately.) Betting: 4 to 1 agst Fairland, 9 to 2 Warlock, 5 to 1 Plunger, 100 to 15 Chapeltown, 7 to 1 each Nell and Sprig of Shillelagh, and 10 to 1 others. Warlock made the running, but blundered at the last fence. Won by three and a half lengths four lengths between the second and third An objection was lodged against the winner for crossing, but was afterwards withdrawn. MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE.—Two miles. 11 7 Mr. T. Coulthwaite's DISARMED, 6yrs Phillips 1 10 5 Mr. J. G. Houghton's Desert Chief, 4yrs E Piggott 2 10 10 Mr. Reid Walker's Peridane, 4yrs W. Pearce 3 Also ran Mountain Buck, The Boyne, Speedy, and Fistiana. (Winner trained by Coulthwaite, Hednesford.) Betting: 5 to 4 agst Disarmed, 9 to 2 Desert Chief, 5 to 1 Mountain Buck and Peridane, 8 to 1 Fistiana, and 10 to 1 others.—Won by two lengths six lengths between second and third HOOTON PARK HGlmLE RACE of 1,000 sovs. second to receive 100 sovs. and third 50 out of the plate.—Two miles and a quarter. 10 10 Mr. Cohen's OBAN, by Lochiel- Vênusta, aged. E. Piggott 1 10 10 Mr. Southall's Papdale, by Crafton- Padna,5yrs. Goswell 2 10 0 Mr. Hardy's Battlement, by Enterprise- Ivy Mantle, 4yrs A. Nightingall 3 10 12 Mr. Moore's Fanciful, aged Mr. W. Cullen 4 10 10 Mr. Shepherd's Moonlit, (lyrs. O. Horan 5 10 10 Mr. Earnshaw's North Crawley,5yrn. J. Phillips 6 10 5 Mr. Goodson's Charivari, 4yrs. Fitton 7 11 10 Mr. Hope's Merry Monk 11., aged Mr. A. W. Wood 8 (Winner trained by Edwards, Ogbourne.) Betting: 6 to 4 on Oban, 7 to 1 agst Chari vari, 8 to 1 each North Crawley and Fanciful, 10 to 1 each Papdale, Battlement, Merry Monk II. and Moonlit. —North Cmwley: cut out the work from Oban and Fanciful, with Papdale heading the others, and Charivari and Battlement the last pair to the second flight of hurdles, where Oban went on in advance of North Crawley, Papdale, and Fanciful. Out of the straight North Crawley was in front of Oban and Fanciful, of whom the last-named took com- mand after going a mile and a quarter,. but gave way half-a-mile from home to Oban, who drew out, attended by Papdale and Battlement, and won by six lengths; three lengths between second and third. Fanciful was fourth, Moonlit fifth, North Crawley next, and Merry Monk II. last. The winner was bought in for 710 guineas. SELLING HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of 70 sovs.-Two miles. 11 2 Mr. Southall's NETHER WALLOr, 5yrs. Goswell 1 11 4 Mr. Harper's Lettre de Cachet, 5vrs. W. Pearce 11 11 Mr. Jordan's Byzantium, aged. Metcalfe 11 11 Mr. Cadman's Lady Linthorpe, aged Phillips 0 Betting: 11 to 10 agst Lady Linthorpe, 9 to 4 Nether Wallop, and 4 to 1 each Byzantium and Lettre de Cachet. Byzantium and Nether Wallop made alternate running, with Lady Linthorpe in close attendance till half a mile from home, where Nether Wallop took the lead, and shaking off the challenge of Lettre de Cachet on the flat, won by a length and a half four lengths separated the second and third. The winner was bought in for 80 guineas. WIRRAL HUNT MEMBERS' STEEPLECHASE of 50 sovs. second to receive 10 sovs. out of the plate.—Three miles. 13 3 Mr. F. Clunie Dale's CAVALIER II., aged Mr. P. S. Cad man 1 11 10 Mr. T. Royden's Reverie, 6yrs. Owner 2 12 3 Mr. T. Royden's Royalty, aged Mr. C. Garnett 3 11 8 Mr. T. Hassall's Branton Court, 5yrs. Mr. Comerford 9 12 3 Mr. W. A. Rigby's Grimwig, aged Mr. A. Hastings ø. 12 3 Mr. John Westgate's The Bird, aged Mr. Robertson 0 Betting Evens Cavalier II., 5 to 2 agst Royalty, and 5 to 1 Reverie or any other. Cavalier II. made the whole of the running, and won by a length six lengths between second and third. The Bird fell at the second fence, and Grimwig came down after going a mile and a quarter. The last named was remounted, but both he and Branton Court got rid of their riders at the last open ditch.

A MARCHIONESS DIVORCED. On Friday, in the Divorce Court, Sir Francis. Jeune heard the case of Downshire v. Dawnslllre and Laycock. This was a suit by the Marquis of Downshire for a dissolution of his marriage on the ground of alleged adultery by his wife with the co-respondent, Captain Joseph Laycock, of Not- tingham. The suit was undefended, and lvIr. Deane, K.C., stated that the Marquis of Downshire was married to Miss Catherine Mary Hare orL. June 22, 1893, and there were three children of the marriage. The co-respondent, who was an officer in the Yeomanry, and of large means, made the acquaintance of the petitioner and respondent during the hunting season of 1899- 1900 in Leicestershire. He was subse- quently a frequent visitor to the residence of the marquis and marchioness, so much so that the marquis had to protest. On January 12th this year the marquis had a shooting party at his place at East Hampstead, and one morning he left to go to Windsor. Immediately his back was turned Captain Liiycock wont to the house and spent the night there in a bedroom adjoining that of the marchioness. The following morning the servants noticed that Captain Laycock's bed had not been occupied. On January 20th the respondent's, father had an interview with the marchioness, and tho same evening Captain. Laycoek came and spent the night. Later on the petitioner met the respondent and co-respondent together in a motor- car. He toid his wite to get out, and he drove her home himself. On February 3rd he found that his wife was sending telegrams to Laycock, and he forbade her to do so. In consequence there was a. stormy scene, after which the marchioness abso- lutely refused to give correspondent up. The mar- quis then left the house, and went to London, and in the result he consulted Sir George Lewis. On his advice the petitioner went to East Hampstead, and there he found a large bundle of letters from the co-respondent to the respondent. These pro- ceedings were then instituted. Counsel read the following letter which the respondent had written to her husband: Ciaridge's Hotel, February 2. You are more cruel than I could even, have imagined, but I know that it is not you, my Artie, who wrc-te that letter. I am very ill, and don't want to live, and make his one last appeal to you just to say good-bye. If you have any pity you can't refuse it. For God's sake be guided by your own feelings. Those whom you are influencect by have always hated me, aad often abuse you to me. I can't go to my owe, people they drive me mad. I will never wrong you again. I know you loved me once, so for te sake of the love J uSJ speak one word to me and say you will try an.? forgive me, and then we need never meet aga1 I shall always love y?u. KITTY,. The marquis an? a servant gave evidence In support of the portion. A decree nisi was granted, with costs, and the marquis to have the custody of the children. (The above aacles appeared in ou)- last Sa'W 4 Evening Edition.)